Driver of bus that hit Mass. house was new to job

AUBURN, Mass. (AP) — The man driving a regional transit bus that crashed into a house in central Massachusetts earlier this week was on his first day of service.

The Telegram & Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1227YGh) that the driver of the bus was 27-year-old Francis Artey of Worcester (WUS'-tur).

Worcester Regional Transit Authority official John Carney says Artey went through a rigorous, eight-week training program before "driving in service" for the first time Monday. Carney says Artey was an experienced school bus driver with a stellar driving record.

Police say it appears the brakes weren't applied before the bus smashed into the house in Auburn. They say Artey may have had a medical problem, or there may have been a mechanical problem with the bus.

The crash remains under investigation. Artey was hospitalized with fractures and cuts. No other serious injuries were reported.